Webb Simpson becomes the latest first-time winner on the PGA Tour after taking victory in the Wyndham contest at Sedgfield in North Carolina. The 26-year-old American, twice a runner-up this season, fired a flawless final round three-fewer than 67 to finish at 18-under and come home three shots clear of fellow citizen George McNeill.
Simpson had trailed by five shots at one point on Saturday after a sticky start to his third round but surged into the lead by singing holes 13 to 17 in six-under to earn himself a two-shot lead going into the final round.
He made a steady start to his final round with eight straight pars to remain at 15-under and despite abundance of birdies from the chasing pack no-one could join him on that number. Simpson birdied nine to move two clear but that gap was reduced to a single shot after McNeill, playing six groups in front, birdied 17.
McNeil made par at the last to post 15-under, leaving Simpson the task of holding on. But he did more than that, pull away to win by three shots. A birdie at the par five 15th restore Simpson's two-shot lead and he bowed in a 15 foot birdie putt at the par three 16th to give himself a three-stroke cushion.
Safe pars at the final two holes and Simpson had his deserved first victory. Playing partner Tommy Gainey ended in third, four shots back, while it was a further shot back to Vijay Singh, Jerry Kelly, Kyung-Tae Kim, Carl Peterson and Charles Howell III.
In the battle to make the FedEx Cup play-offs, there was bad news for Paul Casey whose final round three-over 73 left him outside the 125 who go through to the opener in New Jersey next week.
Els was one place shy after missing the cut in last week's USPGA but a tied 30th place here elevated him from 126th to 118th. Padraig Harrington also scraped in at 124th after a two-fewer than 68 saw him finish tied 47th.